Skating rink re-opening after 30 years

Mother-daughter team Jan Fearnow and Annette Browning work putting roller skates up in preparation for the opening day. John and Jan Fearnow had a vision to open a roller skating rink in Ocala and after months of preparation and hard work their dream is now coming together.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 5:34 p.m.

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Skate-A-Way South is set to open Oct. 5 at 2008 E. Silver Springs Blvd., the site of the Starlite Skate Center that closed in the mid-1980s, according to the owners, John and Jan Fearnow.

The building is just behind a Save-A-Lot grocery store.

The Fearnows are originally from the Midwest but raised their children in Ocala. The couple have shuttled between there and here for years tending their businesses, which include a skating rink in Plymouth, Ind.

They say the idea to open a rink in Ocala originated with a recent drive Jan and daughter, Annette Browning, took on the boulevard. Browning noticed a for-lease sign on the building where she skated as a girl.

"We used to come here for the all-night skates," Browning, 43, recalled. "We used to switch between this one and the one that used to be where AutoMax is."

The Fearnows called the number and leased the building from P.G Sarres Inc.

"I think it will give kids a place to come and go," said Browning, who will be a full-time manager. "There's not a lot in Ocala for kids to do, so I think it'll be a good, safe environment for kids to hang out and have a good time."

The Fearnows have been involved with roller skating for years. Jan, 64, said she has skated since she was a 3-year-old in southern Ohio and still competes in artistic skating. She and John, 62, also have a business, The Cricket Loft, which embroiders apparel for U.S.A. Roller Sports.

"It's a passion," she said. "It's a love. I just enjoy the kids, watching them have fun. It just gets in your blood and you can't get it out."

John Fearnow said Skate-A-Way South's Oct. 5 grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting at noon, followed by an open house from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring skating exhibitions. Staff plan to hand out fliers and discount coupons for the 7 to 11 p.m. night session.

Admission will vary depending on the type of session, ranging from $5.50 to $7, plus skate rental. Skate-A-Way plans to offer lessons, sessions geared toward adults, as well as a "family night" with pizza, soda, admission and skate rental for a family of four at $18.

John said a niche he plans to emphasize is parties.

"I want to be full of any kind of party you can think of," he said. "Corporate, private, birthdays. That's where the money is in a roller rink. That's what we're going after."

Jan added the business will also focus on safety, particularly for young skaters.

"We're going to have security on the premises," she said. "We're pretty strict about our rules. This is a place where kids can be brought."

The Fearnows are still determining staff plans but say they are likely to start out with five for six part-time employees, with Browning as a full-time manager. John Fearnow said a priority right now is "finding a good DJ." He added he and his wife will be "pretty hands-on here" with a manager in Indiana handling the day-to-day operation of that rink.

Currently Marion County has one other roller skating rink, Skate Mania, at 5461 SE Maricamp Road, founded in 1995. Skate Mania management were not available for comment Thursday afternoon.

<p>The familiar rumble of roller skates is set to return after some 30 years to a long-vacant building on East Silver Springs Boulevard.</p><p>Skate-A-Way South is set to open Oct. 5 at 2008 E. Silver Springs Blvd., the site of the Starlite Skate Center that closed in the mid-1980s, according to the owners, John and Jan Fearnow.</p><p>The building is just behind a Save-A-Lot grocery store.</p><p>The Fearnows are originally from the Midwest but raised their children in Ocala. The couple have shuttled between there and here for years tending their businesses, which include a skating rink in Plymouth, Ind.</p><p>They say the idea to open a rink in Ocala originated with a recent drive Jan and daughter, Annette Browning, took on the boulevard. Browning noticed a for-lease sign on the building where she skated as a girl.</p><p>"We used to come here for the all-night skates," Browning, 43, recalled. "We used to switch between this one and the one that used to be where AutoMax is."</p><p>The Fearnows called the number and leased the building from P.G Sarres Inc.</p><p>"I think it will give kids a place to come and go," said Browning, who will be a full-time manager. "There's not a lot in Ocala for kids to do, so I think it'll be a good, safe environment for kids to hang out and have a good time."</p><p>The Fearnows have been involved with roller skating for years. Jan, 64, said she has skated since she was a 3-year-old in southern Ohio and still competes in artistic skating. She and John, 62, also have a business, The Cricket Loft, which embroiders apparel for U.S.A. Roller Sports.</p><p>"It's a passion," she said. "It's a love. I just enjoy the kids, watching them have fun. It just gets in your blood and you can't get it out."</p><p>John Fearnow said Skate-A-Way South's Oct. 5 grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting at noon, followed by an open house from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring skating exhibitions. Staff plan to hand out fliers and discount coupons for the 7 to 11 p.m. night session.</p><p>Admission will vary depending on the type of session, ranging from $5.50 to $7, plus skate rental. Skate-A-Way plans to offer lessons, sessions geared toward adults, as well as a "family night" with pizza, soda, admission and skate rental for a family of four at $18.</p><p>John said a niche he plans to emphasize is parties.</p><p>"I want to be full of any kind of party you can think of," he said. "Corporate, private, birthdays. That's where the money is in a roller rink. That's what we're going after."</p><p>Jan added the business will also focus on safety, particularly for young skaters.</p><p>"We're going to have security on the premises," she said. "We're pretty strict about our rules. This is a place where kids can be brought."</p><p>The Fearnows are still determining staff plans but say they are likely to start out with five for six part-time employees, with Browning as a full-time manager. John Fearnow said a priority right now is "finding a good DJ." He added he and his wife will be "pretty hands-on here" with a manager in Indiana handling the day-to-day operation of that rink.</p><p>Currently Marion County has one other roller skating rink, Skate Mania, at 5461 SE Maricamp Road, founded in 1995. Skate Mania management were not available for comment Thursday afternoon.</p>